Golden Valley High School
Troupe #5722
of the INTERNATIONAL Thespian Society
Honoring Student Achievement in Theatre

​Thespian pledge

I promise to uphold the aims and ideals of the International Thespian Society. I am a student of theatre and excellence is my ideal. I promise to perform my part as well as I can; to accept praise and criticism with grace; to cooperate with my fellow thespians and work for the good of the troupe; and to share my love of theatre.

​Thespian motto

Act well your part; there all the honor lies. --Alexander Pope's Essay on Man

How to earn MEMBERSHIP

To earn membership into Troupe #5722 students must earn 10 Thespian points for extracurricular, quality, production work. 
  • ​The minimum eligibility requirement for Thespian induction is two hundred hours
  • One Thespian point represents approximately twenty hours of quality work. 
  • Induction points should be earned in at least two of the listed categories, for example, acting and production.
  • Thespian membership will be made available on an equitable basis to all students who qualify

POSITION/ROLE

ACTING
​Major Role
Supporting Role
Ensemble
PRODUCTION CREW
Director/VD/MD
Assistant Director/AVD/AMD
Choreographer
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Lighting and Sound Technicians
Properties Manager
Costumer
Set Designer
House Manager
General Supporting Crew
PIT MUSICIANS
All instruments
CLUB
Officers
Advocacy
Event Planning
Festival Participation
Festival Attendance
Event Participation
MISC
Original Play (produced)
Original Radio/Podcast (produced)
Original Film (produced)
Performance Through Honor
​

*Other points awarded according to ITS guidelines and at Troupe Directors equitable discretion

POINTS

Scenes | One Acts| Full length
 2               4                     8
1               3                     5
1/2                1                    3

 2               4                     8
1               3                     6
1               3                     6
1               3                     6
1               3                     5
1               3                     6
1               3                     6
1               3                     6
1               3                     6
1               3                     5
1/2                1                    3

1/2                2                    3

ITO (10) STO (8) President (6) Secretary (5) Other (4)
1/day OR .1/hour
Small Scale 3 Large Scale 5
3
1/day
1/day OR .1/hour

  2              4                     8
1              3                     5
 1              3                     6
 2              4                     8​

What is The International Thespian Society?

What Are the benefits of earning this honor?
The Thespian troupe is a subset of the theatre arts program. It is the student honor society, a separate student organization, and membership is earned.

The ITS/school relationship

The difference between the school’s Thespian troupe and the theatre program and/or Drama Club is that any student may be a member of the theatre program/drama club, but only students who have been officially inducted and registered with the EdTA national office are members of the theatre program and the International Thespian Society.

Recognizing exceptional Thespian achievement

Thespian stars and honor ranks. All Thespians are theatre arts honor students, and induction as a Thespian is the first of many honors that troupes may bestow on a student. However, ITS recognizes three achievement ranks beyond induction. 
Thespian stars are presented to acknowledge each additional ten points earned. Star ratings may be designated on the student’s membership certificate under Thespian Stars Earned.
  1. Honor Thespian. 60 total points earned or the equivalent of 6 stars. For outstanding contributions to the ideals of the Society and meritorious work in the field of theatre.
  2. National Honor Thespian. 120 total points earned or the equivalent of 12 stars. For exceptional commitment to the ideals of the Society and distinguished work in the field of theatre.
  3. International Honor Thespian. 180 or more total points earned or the equivalent of 18 or more stars. For extraordinary dedication to the ideals of the Society and exemplary work in the field of theatre.
Thespian scholar distinction. Thespians who demonstrate high academic success in overall coursework earn the distinction scholar. The qualifications are as follows:
  1. Has been inducted officially into ITS through the National Office.
  2. Is currently enrolled in the school and a member in good standing of the troupe.
  3. Has earned a minimum, cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students with a 3.5 GPA become Vice President's List Scholars, and students with a 4.0 GPA are awarded the President's List Scholar distinction.
  4. Has fulfilled any additional local criteria required by the troupe.
​

Addressing Thespian or parent concerns about the troupe

Meet with the troupe director. Often a meeting is all that’s needed to address concerns by providing additional information and/or dispelling rumors. It’s vital that all parties approach meetings in a professional and respectful manner. Troupe directors are often in the best position to see the big picture, so it’s important for students and family to share concerns with them directly and give them the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. During meetings all parties should communicate clearly and professionally, address and remediate concerns in an appropriate manner. There are no negative consequences for expressing concerns.
Meet with the school administration. If serious concerns remain, the next step is to meet with the principal. The administration is in the best position to diagnose local problems and implement adequate solutions.

Revoking Thespian member benefits

Per ITS guidelines, troupe directors may suspend or withdraw a Thespian’s status as a member in good standing of the local troupe for just cause, according to guidelines set in the troupe constitution. Losing local good standing may affect major benefits that require a troupe director’s authorization, including point awards, honor ranks, graduation recognition, troupe and chapter event participation, etc. Students who drop in GPA below ITS guidelines (2.5) may be suspended, withdrawn or not inducted. Students who demonstrate unprofessional or disrespectful behavior may be suspended, withdrawn or not inducted. Students who drop-out of a production, internship, articulation, club position and/or club event may be suspended, withdrawn or not inducted. Induction into your local Troupe is a high honor reserved for students who treat it as such.

TOTS-EAT community service initiative.

 TOTS-EAT is the International Thespian Society’s annual, nationwide, community service initiative to collect food for the hungry. This is the perfect project for students who want to help the less fortunate in their community. Participating troupes may earn ITS community service awards. See schooltheatre.org/totseat.
  • Membership in the only international honor society for high school theatre arts students—a recognized demonstration of achievement and a valuable addition to college and employment applications.
  • An official Thespian induction pin.
  • A personalized membership certificate and membership card.
  • Log-in access to his or her member homepage and a variety of online benefits.
  • A one-year, bimonthly subscription to the print edition of Dramatics magazine (a $38 value). The first issue arrives within six to eight weeks. They may also renew at a special member rate.
  • Log-in access to Dramatics Digital from induction through the year following graduation.
  • A bumper sticker that reads: Proud parent of a theatre arts honor student.
  • Special member pricing on theatre books and digital media through the online EdTA Store.
  • Leadership opportunities at the troupe, chapter, and national levels.
  • Eligibility for scholarships, grants, and awards through EdTA and its chapters. See schooltheatre.org/ags.
  • Eligibility to audition at the International Thespian Festival for admission to college theatre programs, submit original plays to the Thespian Playworks program, audition for chapter Individual Events programs and qualify for the National Individual Events Showcase (NIES). See schooltheatre.org/festival.
  • Eligibility to receive additional Thespian honors, including graduation and honor items, advancement through Thespian honor ranks, and Thespian scholar distinction. 

Thespian GRADUATION honors 

As approved my GVHS administration, Thespian induction pins may be worn by every member on their stole at graduation. Other honors which may be awarded at the Graduation Honors Ceremony and worn at GVHS graduation include:
  • Additional pins distinguishing scholar and honor points  
  • Medallions of recognition, achievement, and/or honor
​Medallions are awarded to graduating seniors who earn International Honor Thespian and/or achievements through exceptional performance, GPA, outstanding character, and reliability as deemed appropriate by the Troupe director.   

​Additional student opportunities

Chapter conferences.  
See schooltheatre.org/membership/chapters.
International Thespian Festival. In late June, hundreds of Thespian troupes and thousands of students gather for the six-day International Thespian Festival, packed full of performances, workshops, scholarship and college auditions, Individual Events, and camaraderie. Registration begins in February. Festival showcases some of the best high school theatre in the world: fully-mounted, invitation-only, main stage productions; chapter- select shows; and short cuttings and one-acts by interested troupes. . See schooltheatre.org/Festival.
Student scholarship opportunities. More than $200,000 in scholarships is awarded annually. See schooltheatre.org/scholarships and schooltheatre.org/membership/chapters. 
College auditions. The International Thespian Festival also provides Thespians in eleventh grade the opportunity to audition for and meet with more than forty college and university representatives from across the country. Enrollment and scholarship opportunities may be available directly through the representatives after Festival. See International Thespian Festival above.
Chapter and national student leadership. In addition to the leadership opportunities available to Thespian students within their troupe, dedicated Thespians may seek office at the chapter and national levels.
See schooltheatre.org/membership/chapters.
International Thespian Officers (ITO). Each year, six students are elected by their peers to serve as the voice of the ITS student membership. ITO candidates must be Thespians who have served as past or current officers at the troupe, chapter, or national level. They are required to attend the daily leadership training sessions and run for an office at the International Thespian Festival, and they also commit to Festival responsibilities in the year following their election. The ITO serve as representatives to the EdTA Governing Board, play key roles in the leadership training program, and take an active role at advocacy functions, chapter conferences, and other events. See schooltheatre.org/ito.

Thespian points earned

10 


​​
​
20
​
60
180

​

  Honor item awarded

Thespian induction pin


​
​
~
​
~
Honor Medallion

​

Honor item signifies
​

Official Thespian induction achieved. First 10 points accumulated. The induction pin also represents the Thespian's first point star earned and may be worn at graduation.
 (2-star Thespian)
​
Honor Thespian rank achieved 
(18-star Thespian).
​International Honor Thespian rank achieved. Highest ITS rank attainable ​

​Thespian tradition and style guidelines

Picture



​Thespian colors. Blue (PMS 286) and gold (PMS 123).


Thespian flowers. Blue delphinium and yellow roses.


Distinguished Thespian Alums. A list of accomplished Thespian Alums is available at schooltheatre.org/distinguishedthespians.